Thomas Coffey Lacey, Jr., age 71, of Madison, MS, died on March 4, 2025, at his home.
Tom was born September 27, 1953, in Holly Springs, MS, to Virginia Wittjen Lacey and
Thomas Coffey Lacey, Sr. After graduating from Memphis University School, he
attended the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Fraternity and the Ole Miss Golf team. He graduated with highest honors with a degree
in Liberal Arts, then went on to complete his CPA Certification. He moved to Memphis
and was a CPA with Touche, Ross and Company. After a few years as a practicing CPA,
he returned to Ole Miss to pursue a law degree. While at Ole Miss, he was Editor-In-
Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. Tom went on to New York University School of Law
to pursue his LL.M. in Taxation, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Tom returned to Mississippi, and over the course of his career practiced law at Butler
Snow, and Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush. He specialized in business and tax
planning, estate planning and tax controversies. He was a Fellow of the American
College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and a member of The Mississippi Bar, and past
president of its Estates and Trusts Section and of its Taxation Section. He was also a
member of the International Association for Financial Planning, and past president of
the Estate Planning Council of Mississippi and the Jackson Tax Forum, and a founding
member of the Jackson Estate Planning Forum. As a member of the American Bar
Association and its Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Section of
Taxation, he served on various committees of those Sections. Tom was a member of
the AICPA and the Mississippi Society of CPAs, serving on its Taxation Committee and
having served on its Financial Planning Committee.
Tom was a voracious reader and a film connoisseur and encouraged his love of books
and movies with his niece and nephew. In his retirement, you would often find him in his
library, or at the movie theater. He was a member of the Crossroads Film Festival Board
in Jackson. He was also a passionate fisherman and golfer, winning numerous golf
tournaments and long-driving competitions. He was a lifelong Episcopalian, and a
member of Christ Episcopal Church in Holly Springs.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved uncle Tom Coffey.
He is survived by his sister, Virginia Lacey Goza (George), of Magnolia, Mississippi, and
his niece and nephew, Mary Walker Goza and John Reid Goza, II, both of New York
City; and cousins and lifelong friends who were so special to him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Holly Springs on
Monday, March 10, at 11:00am, followed by internment at Hill Crest Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 596, Holly Springs, MS,
38635, or the charity of your choice.